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ROBERT SWANN (1945-2006)

Robert Swann, a well-known British supporting actor, died on April 17th, 2006, aged 61 as recently reported to the Old Pangbournian Society. Swann attended The Nautical College, Pangbourne from 1958-62.

Robert Swann never hit the high spots during an acting career lasting more than 40 years, writes Robin Knight, also an Old Pangbournian. But his all-round ability and talent for menacing performances meant that he was frequently cast as a villain or other unreliable character and was rarely out of work.

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His list of film, television and stage apperances is vast. He appeared in numerous feature films between his debut in "If" in 1968 and his final known appearance in 'Going All The Way' in 1997. Other film appearances included 'Minder' in 1979, 'Hamlet' in 1980, 'Sense & Sensibility' in 1981, 'Betrayed' in 1988, 'Backdraft' in 1991, 'The Babe' in 1992 and 'The Madness of King George' in 1994.

Swann's prolific television work included one-off appearances in such series staples as Bergerac, Holby City, Hearbeat, Lovejoy, Inspector Morse, Judge John Deed and The Sweeney.

On the stage Swann took part in many Shakespearean productions including 'Richard II', 'Hamlet' and 'Coriolanus' in which he acted with Ralph Fiennes in 2000. In 1968 he appeared in Alan Bennett's smash hit 'Forty Years On' at the Apollo theatre in London.

While at the Nautical College Pangbourne Swann wrote poetry. One of his poems, authored when he was in the Upper V Science form, was published in the school magazine (The Log) in 1961. It is titled "Bygones" and reads:

No note of thine will sound beside my grave,

  And as I silent die
  So will I silent lie.

I will not sleep in cloister or in nave, Nor shall my name be writ on chancel walls,

  But may my heart be lain
  Where gusting winds sweep rain,

And where the wild water cadence falls In tumble tracks into a churlish sea.

  And may spray spit my face
  In that far silent place,

And you will not remember me. Here in this home, sweated and hot,

  You lift an eye in thought -
  Some inkling somehow brought

You back. Remember me? I fancy not.